Gabe Richards scored 11 points against the Canberra Capitals last night. Picture: Julie Hough
Gallery: Bendigo Spirit v Canberra Capitals
THE Bendigo Bank Spirit secured their first WNBL minor premiership last night when they thrashed the Canberra Capitals 83-46 at Bendigo Stadium.
The victory gave the Spirit a 20-3 record and cemented first place on the WNBL ladder with one round remaining.
"Considering where the club was 12 months ago...where we nearly folded, it's a wonderful effort to win the minor premiership,'' Spirit coach Bernie Harrower said.
"Finishing on top of the ladder gives us home court advantage for the play-offs which is a big plus for us."
The Spirit had too much class for an under-strength Canberra outfit.
They led by as many as 44 points in the third quarter before easing up in the final term.
Chelsea Aubry (14 points) led six players in double-figures for the spirit.
Kristi Harrower added 12 points, 10 rebounds and five assists before sitting out most of the final quarter.
Renae Camino, Gabe Richards, Kelly Wilson and Kelsey Griffin scored 11 points each.
The Spirit's final regular season game is next Saturday night against Townsville at Bendigo Stadium.
The play-offs start the following weekend where the Spirit will most likely host Dandenong in the second semi-final.
The winner of that game advances straight to the grand final.
See tomorrow's Addy for more.